Sharapova's failed drugs test is 'nonsense', says RTF president

Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) president Shamil Tarpischev believes Maria Sharapova could still play at the Olympic Games in Rio later this year after labelling the former world number one's failed doping test as "nonsense".

Sharapova stunned the sporting world on Monday, revealing she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open in January, having been notified by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The five-time grand-slam champion said she had been taking Meldonium for a decade due to health reasons and had not realised the substance was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of prohibited substances as of the start of this year.

However, outspoken Russian Tarpischev remains hopeful of having the 28-year-old at the Games in Rio in August.